Why I hate Websites

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Transcript of Why I hate Websites

Navigation on a website is one of the most important elements on a page.

Some websites feel the need to hide or disguise the link to the other pages in the site in such a way that you need a truffle pigto find the information you are looking for. Things which really get my goat about some websites Created by Shaun Carvill - MD of Clickingmad LtdRead his blog - http://www.website-design.it Why I hate websites 60 Second Recap Poor Navigation Tell the user what you do and how to make contact.

You've heard it over and over, you only havea few measly seconds to convince the averageuser to stay on your website.

Your website should be designed in such a way that a user immediately knows what and who you are, the purpose of your website, and where to go next. Unclear Message Websites are merely vehicles for users to get what they want whether it is where to go see the their favourite band, how to turn a lawn mower into a fuel cell or finding the perfect web design company. Being egocentric instead of user-centric Have you ever gone back and watched your favourite 70's or 80's movie and find it laughable to watch because theclothes, cars, and dialogue seem so old and out of date?

Websites that feature clip art, frames, java applets, flash intros or animatedgifs are old-school (and not in the cool retro sense either). Dated Websites Take a look at the upcoming events or recent news section of your website. If there are items in there that are olderthan your toddlers, then you need to consider updating.

Besides having current relevant content that changes often, your website should be redesigned or refocused every year. Stagnant or old content Is your content older than than a Toddler? groovy 70's fashion The only thing worse than old contentis pages with no content. If you are unable to finish the pages on your website, don't have links to empty pages with images of orange cones or construction signs, no one cares that you are working on your site. “Under Construction”or "Coming Soon" USP's Can anyone really tell methat they have REAL unique selling points?Are you the ONLY company doing whatever it is you'redoing? Anyone that has waited for a flash animation to load (and my profession is the worst for this) only to be kept waiting has uttered the phrase - "I hate Flash". Needless Flash animation The more visitors that you have on your website the greater your potential enquiries.

The point is, the easier that search engines can find and index your site, the more people you will have on your pages.

Search engines like Google look for well-formed and organised pages that are clear and concise and those are also the same things that users are looking for.

So, a lot of it is common sense and for the items that are not common sense, there are companies that can help with SEO. Lack of SEO There is a time and place for animation, and Flash can be a great tool when used properly. This presentation is done using Flash for example. Sites that lack a clear focus or messageYou've heard it over and over, you only havea few measly seconds to convince the averageuser to stay on your website.

Your website should be designed in such a way that a user immediately knows what and who you are, the purpose of your website, and where to go next. Unclear Message Sites that lack a clear focus or messageYou've heard it over and over, you only havea few measly seconds to convince the averageuser to stay on your website.

Your website should be designed in such a way that a user immediately knows what and who you are, the purpose of your website, and where to go next. Unclear Message But if you imagine it to be a movie, and not text,and that Google can't watch that movie. Flash is generally a no no for good SEO, and ithingies. It can be just as effective to use JavaScript. which Google and ithingies understand. Ask yourself why the website element needs to move, or fade etc. Maybe it doesn't Don't publish ituntilit's ready! doing it wrong means countless pages of company history, mission statements (does anyone actually READ these?), visitor counters, weather in your local town or webcams of the office cat. If you do it right then you get what you want in the process, Websites don't have to be on thebleeding edge of technology but it shouldn't look like the heyday of ceefax either. holistic, outside the box or blue sky thinking, robust, seamless, groundbreaking, empower, proactive, best in class, turnkey, mission critical, ground breaking, iconic, industry standard, win-win, best of breed Some more Goat Getting here. Words that I hate to see in a website..... Make sure your website is up to date, not just for your users but for Google.Do not use tools that are old fashioned or superfluous.Do not make silly claims about how wonderful you are, although I'm sure you actually are!Keep the message simple and allow users, and Google - to find it easily.Think about SEO, then do it.Update your website regularly.